Non-intrusive exhaust gas sensor monitoring

ABSTRACT

A method for monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded change in air-fuel ratio. In this way, the exhaust gas sensor may be monitored utilizing robust parameters in a non-intrusive manner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/410,171, entitled “NON-INTRUSIVE EXHAUST GAS SENSORMONITORING,” filed on Mar. 1, 2012, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an exhaust gas sensor in a motorvehicle.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

An exhaust gas sensor may be positioned in an exhaust system of avehicle to detect an air/fuel ratio of exhaust gas exhausted from aninternal combustion engine of the vehicle. The exhaust gas sensorreadings may be used to control operation of the internal combustionengine to propel the vehicle.

Degradation of an exhaust gas sensor may cause engine controldegradation that may result in increased emissions and/or reducedvehicle drivability. Accordingly, accurate determination of exhaust gassensor degradation may reduce the likelihood of engine control based onreadings from a degraded exhaust gas sensor. In particular, an exhaustgas sensor may exhibit six discrete types of degradation behavior. Thedegradation behavior types may be categorized as asymmetric typedegradation (e.g., rich-to-lean asymmetric delay, lean-to-richasymmetric delay, rich-to-lean asymmetric filter, lean-to-richasymmetric filter) that affects only lean-to-rich or rich-to-leanexhaust gas sensor response rates, or symmetric type degradation (e.g.,symmetric delay, symmetric filter) that affects both lean-to-rich andrich-to-lean exhaust gas sensor response rates. The delay typedegradation behaviors may be associated with the initial reaction of theexhaust gas sensor to a change in exhaust gas composition and the filtertype degradation behaviors may be associated with a duration after aninitial exhaust gas sensor response to transition from a rich-to-lean orlean-to-rich exhaust gas sensor output.

Previous approaches to monitoring exhaust gas sensor degradation,particularly identifying one or more of the six degradation behaviors,have relied on intrusive data collection. That is, an engine may bepurposely operated with one or more rich to lean or lean to richtransitions to monitor exhaust gas sensor response. However, theseexcursions may be restricted to particular operating conditions that donot occur frequently enough to accurately monitor the sensor. Further,these excursions may increase engine operation at non-desired air/fuelratios that result in increased fuel consumption and/or increasedemissions. Additionally, large amounts of background noise present inthe collected samples may confound accurate determination of the sensordegradation.

The inventors herein have recognized the above issues and identified anon-intrusive approach that utilizes a robust parameter for determiningexhaust gas sensor degradation. In one embodiment, a method ofmonitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust comprisesindicating exhaust gas sensor degradation, including asymmetricdegradation, based on a time delay and line length of each sample of aset of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during a commanded changein air-fuel ratio.

The exhaust gas sensor time delay and line length may provide a robustsignal that has less noise and higher fidelity than previous approaches.In doing so, the accuracy of the sensor degradation determination may beimproved. In one example, the commanded change in lambda may be entryinto or exit out of deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO). During entry intoDFSO, the engine may be commanded from stoichiometric operation to leanoperation, and during exit out of DFSO, the engine may be commanded fromlean operation to stoichiometric operation. As such, the exhaust gassensor time delay and line length may be monitored during conditionsthat approximate lean-to-rich and rich-to-lean transitions to determineif any of the six discrete sensor degradation behaviors are presentwithout intrusive excursions.

By determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor using anon-intrusive approach with data collected during DFSO, exhaust gassensor degradation monitoring may be performed in a simple manner.Further, by using the exhaust gas sensor output to determine which ofthe seven degradation behaviors the sensor exhibits, closed loopfeedback control may be improved by tailoring engine control (e.g., fuelinjection amount and/or timing) responsive to indication of theparticular degradation behavior of the exhaust gas sensor to reduce theimpact on vehicle drivability and/or emissions due to exhaust gas sensordegradation.

The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the presentdescription will be readily apparent from the following DetailedDescription when taken alone or in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introducein simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described inthe detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defineduniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any partof this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a propulsion systemof a vehicle including an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 2 shows a graph indicating a symmetric filter type degradationbehavior of an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 3 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric rich-to-lean filter typedegradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 4 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric lean-to-rich filter typedegradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 5 show a graph indicating a symmetric delay type degradationbehavior of an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 6 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric rich-to-lean delay typedegradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 7 shows a graph indicating an asymmetric lean-to-rich delay typedegradation behavior of an exhaust gas sensor.

FIG. 8A shows a graph indicating an entry into DFSO without an air-fuelratio disturbance.

FIG. 8B shows a graph indicating an entry into DFSO with an air-fuelratio disturbance.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for indicating an air-fuelratio disturbance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for monitoring air-fuelratio during DFSO according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method for indicating exhaust gasdegradation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to an approach for determiningdegradation of an exhaust gas sensor. More particularly, the systems andmethods described below may be implemented to determine exhaust gassensor degradation based on recognition of any one of six discrete typesof behavior associated with exhaust gas sensor degradation. Therecognition of the degradation behavior may be performed during entryinto or exit out of DFSO to non-intrusively monitor exhaust gas sensorresponse during rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich transitions. Further,gross air-fuel ratio disturbances that may confound the monitoring, suchas a change in fuel vapors present in the intake (due to fuel vaporcanister purge, for example) or from closed throttle transition, may bedetected to increase accuracy of the degradation indication.

FIG. 1 shows an engine including an exhaust gas sensor. FIGS. 2-8B showexpected and degraded lambda for each of the six degradation behaviorsof the exhaust gas sensor including a response with an air-fuel ratiodisturbance. FIGS. 9-11 are example methods that may be carried out bythe engine to determine a degradation behavior.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one cylinder of multi-cylinderengine 10, which may be included in a propulsion system of a vehicle inwhich an exhaust gas sensor 126 may be utilized to determine an air fuelratio of exhaust gas produce by engine 10. The air fuel ratio (alongwith other operating parameters) may be used for feedback control ofengine 10 in various modes of operation. Engine 10 may be controlled atleast partially by a control system including controller 12 and by inputfrom a vehicle operator 132 via an input device 130. In this example,input device 130 includes an accelerator pedal and a pedal positionsensor 134 for generating a proportional pedal position signal PP.Combustion chamber (i.e., cylinder) 30 of engine 10 may includecombustion chamber walls 32 with piston 36 positioned therein. Piston 36may be coupled to crankshaft 40 so that reciprocating motion of thepiston is translated into rotational motion of the crankshaft.Crankshaft 40 may be coupled to at least one drive wheel of a vehiclevia an intermediate transmission system. Further, a starter motor may becoupled to crankshaft 40 via a flywheel to enable a starting operationof engine 10.

Combustion chamber 30 may receive intake air from intake manifold 44 viaintake passage 42 and may exhaust combustion gases via exhaust passage48. Intake manifold 44 and exhaust passage 48 can selectivelycommunicate with combustion chamber 30 via respective intake valve 52and exhaust valve 54. In some embodiments, combustion chamber 30 mayinclude two or more intake valves and/or two or more exhaust valves.

In this example, intake valve 52 and exhaust valves 54 may be controlledby cam actuation via respective cam actuation systems 51 and 53. Camactuation systems 51 and 53 may each include one or more cams and mayutilize one or more of cam profile switching (CPS), variable cam timing(VCT), variable valve timing (VVT) and/or variable valve lift (VVL)systems that may be operated by controller 12 to vary valve operation.The position of intake valve 52 and exhaust valve 54 may be determinedby position sensors 55 and 57, respectively. In alternative embodiments,intake valve 52 and/or exhaust valve 54 may be controlled by electricvalve actuation. For example, cylinder 30 may alternatively include anintake valve controlled via electric valve actuation and an exhaustvalve controlled via cam actuation including CPS and/or VCT systems.

Fuel injector 66 is shown arranged in intake passage 44 in aconfiguration that provides what is known as port injection of fuel intothe intake port upstream of combustion chamber 30. Fuel injector 66 mayinject fuel in proportion to the pulse width of signal FPW received fromcontroller 12 via electronic driver 68. Fuel may be delivered to fuelinjector 66 by a fuel system (not shown) including a fuel tank, a fuelpump, and a fuel rail. In some embodiments, combustion chamber 30 mayalternatively or additionally include a fuel injector coupled directlyto combustion chamber 30 for injecting fuel directly therein, in amanner known as direct injection.

Ignition system 88 can provide an ignition spark to combustion chamber30 via spark plug 92 in response to spark advance signal SA fromcontroller 12, under select operating modes. Though spark ignitioncomponents are shown, in some embodiments, combustion chamber 30 or oneor more other combustion chambers of engine 10 may be operated in acompression ignition mode, with or without an ignition spark.

Exhaust gas sensor 126 is shown coupled to exhaust passage 48 of exhaustsystem 50 upstream of emission control device 70. Sensor 126 may be anysuitable sensor for providing an indication of exhaust gas air/fuelratio such as a linear oxygen sensor or UEGO (universal or wide-rangeexhaust gas oxygen), a two-state oxygen sensor or EGO, a HEGO (heatedEGO), a NOx, HC, or CO sensor. In some embodiments, exhaust gas sensor126 may be a first one of a plurality of exhaust gas sensors positionedin the exhaust system. For example, additional exhaust gas sensors maybe positioned downstream of emission control 70.

Emission control device 70 is shown arranged along exhaust passage 48downstream of exhaust gas sensor 126. Device 70 may be a three waycatalyst (TWC), NOx trap, various other emission control devices, orcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, emission control device 70may be a first one of a plurality of emission control devices positionedin the exhaust system. In some embodiments, during operation of engine10, emission control device 70 may be periodically reset by operating atleast one cylinder of the engine within a particular air/fuel ratio.

Controller 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as a microcomputer, includingmicroprocessor unit 102, input/output ports 104, an electronic storagemedium for executable programs and calibration values shown as read onlymemory chip 106 in this particular example, random access memory 108,keep alive memory 110, and a data bus. Controller 12 may receive varioussignals from sensors coupled to engine 10, in addition to those signalspreviously discussed, including measurement of inducted mass air flow(MAF) from mass air flow sensor 120; engine coolant temperature (ECT)from temperature sensor 112 coupled to cooling sleeve 114; a profileignition pickup signal (PIP) from Hall effect sensor 118 (or other type)coupled to crankshaft 40; throttle position (TP) from a throttleposition sensor; and absolute manifold pressure signal, MAP, from sensor122. Engine speed signal, RPM, may be generated by controller 12 fromsignal PIP. Manifold pressure signal MAP from a manifold pressure sensormay be used to provide an indication of vacuum, or pressure, in theintake manifold. Note that various combinations of the above sensors maybe used, such as a MAF sensor without a MAP sensor, or vice versa.During stoichiometric operation, the MAP sensor can give an indicationof engine torque. Further, this sensor, along with the detected enginespeed, can provide an estimate of charge (including air) inducted intothe cylinder. In one example, sensor 118, which is also used as anengine speed sensor, may produce a predetermined number of equallyspaced pulses every revolution of the crankshaft.

Furthermore, at least some of the above described signals may used inthe exhaust gas sensor degradation determination method described infurther detail below. For example, the inverse of the engine speed maybe used to determine delays associated with theinjection-intake-compression-expansion-exhaust cycle. As anotherexample, the inverse of the velocity (or the inverse of the MAF signal)may be used to determine a delay associated with travel of the exhaustgas from the exhaust valve 54 to exhaust gas sensor 126. The abovedescribed examples along with other use of engine sensor signals may beused to determine the time delay between a change in the commanded airfuel ratio and the exhaust gas sensor response rate.

In some embodiments, exhaust gas sensor degradation determination may beperformed in a dedicated controller 140. Dedicated controller 140 mayinclude processing resources 142 to handle signal-processing associatedwith production, calibration, and validation of the degradationdetermination of exhaust gas sensor 126. In particular, a sample buffer(e.g., generating approximately 100 samples per second per engine bank)utilized to record the response rate of the exhaust gas sensor may betoo large for the processing resources of a powertrain control module(PCM) of the vehicle. Accordingly, dedicated controller 140 may beoperatively coupled with controller 12 to perform the exhaust gas sensordegradation determination. Note that dedicated controller 140 mayreceive engine parameter signals from controller 12 and may send enginecontrol signals and degradation determination information among othercommunications to controller 12.

Note storage medium read-only memory 106 and/or processing resources 142can be programmed with computer readable data representing instructionsexecutable by processor 102 and/or dedicated controller 140 forperforming the methods described below as well as other variants.

As discussed above, exhaust gas sensor degradation may be determinedbased on any one, or in some examples each, of six discrete behaviorsindicated by delays in the response rate of air/fuel ratio readingsgenerated by an exhaust gas sensor during rich-to-lean transitionsand/or lean-to-rich transitions. FIGS. 2-7 each show a graph indicatingone of the six discrete types of exhaust gas sensor degradationbehaviors. The graphs plot air/fuel ratio (lambda) versus time (inseconds). In each graph, the dotted line indicates a commanded lambdasignal that may be sent to engine components (e.g., fuel injectors,cylinder valves, throttle, spark plug, etc.) to generate an air/fuelratio that progresses through a cycle comprising one or morelean-to-rich transitions and one or more rich-to-lean transitions. Inthe depicted figures, the engine is entering into and exiting out ofDFSO. In each graph, the dashed line indicates an expected lambdaresponse time of an exhaust gas sensor. In each graph, the solid lineindicates a degraded lambda signal that would be produced by a degradedexhaust gas sensor in response to the commanded lambda signal. In eachof the graphs, the double arrow lines indicate where the givendegradation behavior type differs from the expected lambda signal.

FIG. 2 shows a graph indicating a first type of degradation behaviorthat may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor. This first typeof degradation behavior is a symmetric filter type that includes slowexhaust gas sensor response to the commanded lambda signal for bothrich-to-lean and lean-to-rich modulation. In other words, the degradedlambda signal may start to transition from rich-to-lean and lean-to-richat the expected times but the response rate may be lower than theexpected response rate, which results in reduced lean and rich peaktimes.

FIG. 3 shows a graph indicating a second type of degradation behaviorthat may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor. The second typeof degradation behavior is an asymmetric rich-to-lean filter type thatincludes slow exhaust gas sensor response to the commanded lambda signalfor a transition from rich-to-lean air/fuel ratio. This behavior typemay start the transition from rich-to-lean at the expected time but theresponse rate may be lower than the expected response rate, which mayresult in a reduced lean peak time. This type of behavior may beconsidered asymmetric because the response of the exhaust gas sensor isslow (or lower than expected) during the transition from rich-to-lean.

FIG. 4 shows a graph indicating a third type of degradation behaviorthat may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor. The third typeof behavior is an asymmetric lean-to-rich filter type that includes slowexhaust gas sensor response to the commanded lambda signal for atransition from lean-to-rich air/fuel ratio. This behavior type maystart the transition from lean-to-rich at the expected time but theresponse rate may be lower than the expected response rate, which mayresult in a reduced rich peak time. This type of behavior may beconsidered asymmetric because the response of the exhaust gas sensor isonly slow (or lower than expected) during the transition fromlean-to-rich.

FIG. 5 shows a graph indicating a fourth type of degradation behaviorthat may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor. This fourth typeof degradation behavior is a symmetric delay type that includes adelayed response to the commanded lambda signal for both rich-to-leanand lean-to-rich modulation. In other words, the degraded lambda signalmay start to transition from rich-to-lean and lean-to-rich at times thatare delayed from the expected times, but the respective transition mayoccur at the expected response rate, which results in shifted lean andrich peak times.

FIG. 6 shows a graph indicating a fifth type of degradation behaviorthat may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor. This fifth typeof degradation behavior is an asymmetric rich-to-lean delay type thatincludes a delayed response to the commanded lambda signal from therich-to-lean air/fuel ratio. In other words, the degraded lambda signalmay start to transition from rich-to-lean at a time that is delayed fromthe expected time, but the transition may occur at the expected responserate, which results in shifted and/or reduced lean peak times. This typeof behavior may be considered asymmetric because the response of theexhaust gas sensor is only delayed from the expected start time during atransition from rich-to-lean.

FIG. 7 shows a graph indicating a sixth type of degradation behaviorthat may be exhibited by a degraded exhaust gas sensor. This sixth typeof behavior is an asymmetric lean-to-rich delay type that includes adelayed response to the commanded lambda signal from the lean-to-richair/fuel ratio. In other words, the degraded lambda signal may start totransition from lean-to-rich at a time that is delayed from the expectedtime, but the transition may occur at the expected response rate, whichresults in shifted and/or reduced rich peak times. This type of behaviormay be considered asymmetric because the response of the exhaust gassensor is only delayed from the expected start time during a transitionfrom lean-to-rich.

It will be appreciated that a degraded exhaust gas sensor may exhibit acombination of two or more of the above described degradation behaviors.For example, a degraded exhaust gas sensor may exhibit an asymmetricrich-to-lean filter degradation behavior (i.e., FIG. 3) as well as anasymmetric rich-to-lean delay degradation behavior (i.e., FIG. 6).

FIGS. 8A and 8B show graphs illustrating an exhaust gas sensor responseto a commanded entry into DFSO. FIG. 8A shows a graph 210 illustratingan entry into DFSO without an air-fuel ratio disturbance prior to theentry, and FIG. 8B shows a graph 220 illustrating an entry into DFSOwith an air-fuel ratio disturbance prior to the entry. Turning to FIG.8A, the commanded lambda, expected lambda, and degraded lambda are shownsimilar to the lambdas described with respect to FIGS. 2-7. FIG. 8Aillustrates a rich-to-lean and/or symmetric delay degradation whereinthe time delay to respond to the commanded air-fuel ratio change isdelayed. The arrow 202 illustrates the time delay, which is the timeduration from the commanded change in lambda to a time (τ₀) when athreshold change in the measured lambda is observed. The thresholdchange in lambda may be a small change that indicates the response tothe commanded change has started, e.g., 5%, 10%, 20%, etc. The arrow 204indicates the time constant (τ₆₃) for the response, which in a firstorder system is the time from τ₀ to when 63% of the steady stateresponse is achieved. The arrow 206 indicates the time duration from τ₀to when 95% of the desired response is achieved, otherwise referred toas a threshold response time (τ₉₅). In a first order system, thethreshold response time (τ₉₅) is approximately equal to three timeconstants (3*τ₆₃).

From these parameters, various details regarding the exhaust gas sensorresponse can be determined. First, the time delay, indicated by arrow202, may be compared to an expected time delay to determine if thesensor is exhibiting a delay degradation behavior. Second, the timeconstant, indicated by the arrow 204, may be used to predict a τ₉₅. Thepredicted τ₉₅ may be compared to a measured τ₉₅ to determine if anair-fuel ratio disturbance is present prior to the entry into DFSO.Specifically, as explained above, the time constant represents theamount of time to achieve 63% of the desired air-fuel ratio, and τ₉₅ canbe predicted by multiplying the time constant by three. If the predictedτ₉₅ is not equal to the measured τ₉₅, this indicates a disturbance inthe air-fuel ratio, which will be explained in more detail with respectto FIG. 8B. Finally, a line length, indicated by the arrow 206, may bedetermined based on the change in lambda over the duration of theresponse, starting at τ₀. The line length is the sensor signal length,and can be used to determine if a response degradation is present. Theline length may be determined based on the equation:line length=E√{square root over (Δt ²+Δλ²)}

Turning to FIG. 8B, a graph 220 showing an exhaust gas sensor responseduring an entry into DFSO including an air-fuel ratio disturbance isdepicted. Similar to FIG. 8A, the commanded lambda, expected lambda, anddegraded lambda are shown. An air-fuel ratio disturbance, shown in theexpected lambda signal at 208, may cause a transient change in theair-fuel ratio that is not commanded by the controller. The air-fuelratio disturbance may be caused by a fuel vapor canister purge, or otheraction that results in changes to the fuel present in the cylinders,such as a fuel error due to a closed throttle transition. Air-fuel ratiodisturbances may also be caused by transient changes to the air flowinto the cylinders. As a result of the disturbance, the determined timedelay, indicated by arrow 202′, is shorter than the time delay of FIG.8A. This is because the lambda begins to change just after the commandedentry into DFSO, and hence the measured time between the commanded startof DFSO and when lambda changes by a threshold amount is shortened. As aresult of this shortened time delay, the time constant, indicated byarrow 204′, is lengthened. Further, the line length, indicated by arrow206′, is also increased compared to the line length of FIG. 8A.Inclusion of this time delay and line length in a degradationdetermination may result in inaccurate degradation determination. Toidentify such a disturbance, the predicted τ₉₅ (3*τ₆₃) may be comparedto the measured τ₉₅. As shown in FIG. 8B, the predicted τ₉₅, which isthree times the determined time constant (arrow 204′), is greater thanthe measured τ₉₅. If the predicted τ₉₅ is different from the measuredτ₉₅ by a threshold amount, such as 10%, the data collected during thatcommanded change in lambda may be discarded, reducing noise andimproving the accuracy of the degradation determination.

FIGS. 9-11 are flow charts depicted methods for monitoring exhaustair-fuel ratio in order to determine if one or more sensor degradationbehaviors are present. The exhaust gas air-fuel ratio may be determinedby an exhaust gas sensor during a commanded air-fuel ratio change, suchas during entry into or exit out of DFSO. However, in some embodiments,other commanded air-fuel ratio changes may be monitored, such as changesdue to a catalyst regeneration or other actions. During the commandedAFR change, the lambda as measured by the sensor may be collected as thesensor responds to the commanded change, and the rate at which thesensor responds may be evaluated to determine a time delay and linelength for the response. A set of responses may be collected, and thetime delays and line lengths for all responses may be averaged andcompared to an expected time delay and line length. Further, to improveaccuracy of the monitoring, the AFR may be monitored to determine if adisturbance to the AFR occurs prior to the commanded change. If so, thelambda values collected during that commanded change may be discarded,as the AFR disturbance may confound the calculated time delay and linelength.

Turning now to FIG. 9 an example method 300 for indicating an air-fuelratio disturbance is depicted according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Method 300 may be carried out by a control system of avehicle, such as controller 12 and/or dedicated controller 140, tomonitor air-fuel ratio during a commanded air-fuel ratio change via asensor such as exhaust gas sensor 126.

At 302, method 300 includes determining engine operating parameters.Engine operating parameters may be determined based on feedback fromvarious engine sensors, and may include engine speed, load, air/fuelratio, temperature, etc. Further, engine operating parameters may bedetermined over a given duration, e.g., 10 seconds, in order todetermine whether certain engine operating conditions are changing, orwhether the engine is operating under steady-state conditions. Method300 includes, at 304, determining if the engine is entering into orexiting out of deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO). During DFSO, theengine is operated without fuel injection while the engine rotates andpumps air through the cylinders. DFSO entry and exit conditions may bebased on various vehicle and engine operating conditions. In particular,a combination of one or more of vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration,engine speed, engine load, throttle position, pedal position,transmission gear position, and various other parameters may be used todetermine whether the engine will be entering or exiting DFSO. In oneexample, the DFSO entry conditions may be based on an engine speed belowa threshold. In another example, the DFSO entry conditions may be basedon an engine load below a threshold. In still another example, the DFSOcondition may be based on an accelerator pedal position. Additionally oralternatively, entry into DFSO may be determined based on a commandedsignal to cease fuel injection. Exit out of DFSO may be based on acommanded signal to begin fuel injection in one example. In anotherexample, a DFSO event may be ended based on a driver tip-in, the vehiclespeed reaching a threshold value, and/or engine load reaching athreshold value.

If it is determined at 304 that the engine is not entering or exitingDFSO, method 300 returns to 302 to continue to determine engineoperating parameters. If DFSO entry or exit conditions are determined,method 300 proceeds to 306 to record the change in lambda over timeduring the DFSO entry or exit. When the engine enters or exits DFSO, thecommanded air-fuel ratio changes, and the air-fuel ratio detected by theexhaust gas sensor can be stored in the memory of the controller or thededicated controller during the transition into or out of DFSO. As usedherein, the terms entry into and exit out of DFSO may include the timefrom when a commanded entry or exit is detected until a time when theair-fuel ratio detected by the sensor reaches the steady-state commandedvalue.

At 308, it is determined if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is presentprior to the entry or exit. As explained previously, the air-fuel ratiodisturbance may be caused by, for example, additional fuel vaporspresent in the intake. These disturbances may confound the monitoring ofthe exhaust gas sensor response to the commanded DFSO entry or exit. Inorder to detect an AFR disturbance, the lambda at the commanded start orstop of DFSO is recorded at 310. At 312, the time since the start orstop of DFSO at which the lambda has increased by a threshold percentageis recorded. In one example, the threshold percentage may be a suitablesmall change in lambda that indicates the engine is responding to thecommanded change, such as an increase of 10%, 20%, etc. This time may bereferred to as τ₀. At 314, the time constant is determined MA Asexplained previously, the time constant may be the time from τ₀ at which63% of the commanded response is reached. τ₉₅ may be the time from τ₀ atwhich 95% of the commanded response is reached, and, in a first ordersystem, is equivalent to three time constants. At 316, the 3*τ₆₃ iscompared to a measured τ₉₅.

At 318, it is determined if 3*τ₆₃ is approximately equal to the measuredτ₉₅. The predicted τ₉₅ (e.g., 3*τ₆₃) may deviate from the measured τ₉₅by a suitable range, such as 5 or 10%. If 3*τ₆₃ is different from themeasured τ₉₅ by an amount larger than this range, it indicates that thedetermined τ₀ is in response to an AFR disturbance, and not the actualτ₀ in response to the commanded DFSO entry or exit. Thus, method 300proceeds to 320 to indicated that an AFR disturbance is present anddiscard the collected change in lambda. However, if 3*τ₆₃ isapproximately equal to the measured τ₉₅, an AFR disturbance is notpresent, and the collected change in lambda during the DFSO entry orexit may be added as a sample to a set of exhaust gas sensor responsesat 322. After discarding the collected lambda values at 320 or addingthe collected lambda values to the set of responses at 322, method 300exits.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 400 for monitoring air-fuel ratio duringDFSO. Method 400 may be carried out by controller 12 and/or dedicatedcontroller 140. Method 400 includes, at 402, determining if a thresholdnumber of samples have been collected in the set of exhaust gas sensorresponses. The samples may be collected during entry and exit of DFSO,as explained with respect to FIG. 9. The samples may include lambdavalues collected during the exhaust gas sensor response to the commandedentry or exit of DFSO. For example, each sample may include every lambdavalue collected during a response to a commanded entry into DFSO, e.g.,the sample may include a lambda value collected every 10 ms, or a valuecollected every 100 ms, etc. The threshold may be a suitable thresholdthat balances data collection with accurate sensor modeling, and mayinclude 10 samples, 20 samples, etc.

If the threshold number of samples has not been collected, method 400returns. If the threshold number of samples has been collected, method400 proceeds to 404 to determine an expected and measured time delay andline length for each sample collected during a DFSO entry. The measuredtime delay and line length may be calculated as described above withrespect to FIGS. 8A and 8B. The expected time delay between the changein the commanded air fuel ratio and the initial exhaust gas sensorresponse may be determined from several sources of delay. First, thereis a delay contribution from theinjection-intake-compression-expansion-exhaust cycle. This delaycontribution may be proportional to the inverse of the engine speed.Secondly, there is a delay contribution from the time for the exhaustgas to travel from the exhaust port of the engine cylinders to theexhaust gas sensor. This delay contribution may vary with the inverse ofthe velocity or air mass flow rate of gas in the exhaust passage.Finally, there are delay contributions induced by processing times, thefiltering applied to the exhaust gas sensor signal, and the timerequired for the filtered exhaust gas sensor signal to change therequired delta lambda.

The expected line length may be calculated based on the time to reachthe final value from the end of the time delay (start of the linelength) and the final value, which may be determined based on air mass,velocity of exhaust through the sensor, and other parameters.

At 406, the expected and measured time delay and line length for eachsample collected during a DFSO exit is determined, similar to the timedelay and line length for the DFSO entry described above. At 408, allentry measured time delays are averaged, all entry measured line lengthsare averaged, all entry expected time delays are averaged, and all entryexpected line lengths are averaged. Similarly, at 410, the exit measuredand expected time delays and line lengths are averaged. Thus, an averagemeasured time delay, an average measured line length, an averageexpected time delay, and an average expected line length are determinedfor both rich-to-lean transitions (e.g., entry into DFSO) andlean-to-rich transitions (e.g., exit out of DFSO).

At 412, sensor degradation behavior type is determined based on theaverage time delays and line lengths calculated previously, which willbe described in more detail with respect to FIG. 11. At 414, it isdetermined if the sensor is exhibiting at least on type of sensordegradation. If no, method 400 exits, as the sensor is not degraded, andthus standard engine operation may continue. If yes, method 400 proceedsto 416 to adjust fuel injection amount and/or timing. To ensure adequateengine control to maintain engine emissions and fuel economy at adesired level, one or more engine operating parameters may be adjustedat 416, if desired. This may include adjusting fuel injection amountand/or timing, and may include adjusting control routines that are basedon feedback from the degraded sensor to compensate for the identifieddegradation. At 418, if the degradation behavior exceeds a threshold,this may indicate the sensor is damaged or otherwise non-functional andas such an operator of the vehicle may be notified of the sensordegradation, for example by activating a malfunction indication light.Upon adjusting operating parameters and/or notifying a vehicle operator,method 400 exits.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 for determining asensor degradation behavior based on determined and expected time delaysand line lengths during exit and entry into DFSO. Method 500 may becarried out by controller 12 and/or dedicated controller 140, and may beexecuted during 412 of method 400 described above. At 502, method 500includes comparing measured entry time delay and exit time delay to theexpected entry time delay and exit time delay. As explained with respectto FIG. 10, for both entry into and exit out of DFSO, the averagemeasured time delay and average expected time delay may be determined.Each measured time delay may be compared to its respective expected timedelay to determine a difference in the time delays.

At 504, it is determined if both the entry and exit time delays aregreater than their respective expected time delays by a thresholdamount. The threshold amount may be a suitable amount, such as 5% or10%, that allows for some variation in the exhaust gas sensor responsethat does not affect drivability or emissions, and allows for error inthe expected time delays. If both the entry and exit time delays aregreater than their respective expected time delays, a symmetric delaydegradation behavior is indicated at 506, and method 500 proceeds to508. If both are not greater than their respective expected time delays,method 500 also proceeds to 508 to determine if one of the entry or exittime delays is greater than its respective expected time delay. If no,method 500 proceeds to 512. If yes, method 500 proceeds to 510 toindicate an asymmetric delay degradation. If the entry time delay isgreater than expected, a rich-to-lean delay degradation is indicated. Ifthe exit time delay is greater than expected, a lean-to-rich delaydegradation is indicated. Method 500 then proceeds to 512.

At 512, the measured entry line length is compared to the expected entryline length, and the measured exit line length is compared to theexpected exit line length. At 514, it is determined if both the entryand exit line lengths are greater than their respective expected linelengths by a threshold amount, similar to the determination made at 504.If both are greater than expected, method 500 proceeds to 516 toindicate a symmetric filter degradation, and then method 500 proceeds to518. If no, method 500 proceeds to 518 to determine if one of the entryor exit line lengths is greater than its respective expected linelength.

If it is determined that one of the entry or exit line lengths isgreater than expected, method 500 proceeds to 520 to indicate anasymmetric filter degradation. If the entry line length is greater thanexpected, a rich-to-lean filter degradation is indicated. If the exitline length is greater than expected, a lean-to-rich filter degradationis indicated. Method 500 then proceeds to 522. Also, if the answer is noat 518, method 500 proceeds to 522 to determine if at least onedegradation behavior is indicated, based on the previous comparisons ofthe time delays and line lengths. If at least one degradation behavioris indicated, method 500 exits. If no degradation is indicated, method500 proceeds to 524 to indicate no degradation behavior, and then method500 exits.

Thus, the methods presented herein provide for determining exhaust gassensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of a set ofexhaust gas sensor responses collected during commanded changes inlambda. These commanded changes in lambda may be entry into and exit outof DFSO. Further, the collected lambda values during the commandedchange in lambda may be monitored to determine if an air-fuel ratiodisturbance is present prior to the commanded change in lambda. If so,those collected lambda values may be discarded so as to reduce noisethat may confound the accurate degradation determination. The air-fuelratio disturbance may be detected by determining a time constant of thesensor response, and estimating a threshold response time based on thetime constant. If the estimated threshold response time is differentfrom a measured response time, then a disturbance may be indicated.

It will be appreciated that the configurations and methods disclosedherein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments arenot to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variationsare possible. For example, the above technology can be applied to V-6,I-4, I-6, V-12, opposed 4, and other engine types. The subject matter ofthe present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinationsand sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations, andother features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.

The following claims particularly point out certain combinations andsub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims mayrefer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof.Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or moresuch elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosedfeatures, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed throughamendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims inthis or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower,equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regardedas included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of monitoring an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an engine exhaust, comprising: indicating exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of a set of exhaust gas sensor responses collected during each of entry into and exit out of deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO).
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein during entry into DFSO, an engine is commanded from stoichiometric operation to lean operation.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein during exit out of DFSO, an engine is commanded from lean operation to stoichiometric operation.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each sample of the set of exhaust gas sensor responses, determining if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is present prior to the entry into DFSO.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein, if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is present, then not including that exhaust sample in the set of exhaust gas sensor responses; and if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is not present, then including that sample in the set of exhaust gas sensor responses.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the time delay is a duration from commanded entry into DFSO to a threshold change in lambda, and wherein the line length is based on a change of lambda over time during the exhaust gas sensor response.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: if an average time delay of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO entry exceeds an expected entry time delay, and an average time delay of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit does not exceed an expected exit time delay, indicating a rich-to-lean delay sensor degradation.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: if an average line length of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO entry exceeds an expected entry line length and an average line length of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit does not exceed an expected exit line length, indicating a rich-to-lean filter sensor degradation.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising: if an average time delay of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO entry exceeds an expected entry time delay and an average time delay of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit exceeds an expected exit time delay, indicating a symmetric delay sensor degradation.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, for each sample of the set of exhaust gas sensor responses, determining if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is present prior to exit out of DFSO.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein, if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is present, then not including that exhaust sample in the set of exhaust gas sensor responses; and if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is not present, then including that sample in the set of exhaust gas sensor responses.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the time delay is a duration from a commanded exit out of DFSO to a threshold change in lambda, and wherein the line length is based on a change of lambda over time during the exhaust gas sensor response.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: if an average time delay of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit exceeds an expected exit time delay and an average time delay of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO entry does not exceed an expected entry time delay, indicating a lean-to-rich delay sensor degradation.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising if an average line length of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit exceeds an expected exit line length and an average line length of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO entry does not exceed an expected entry line length, indicating a lean-to-rich filter sensor degradation.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising if an average line length of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit exceeds an expected exit line length and an average line length of exhaust gas sensor responses during DFSO exit exceeds an expected entry line length, indicating a symmetric filter sensor degradation.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a fuel injection amount based on the indicated degradation, where said degradation includes asymmetric sensor responses to air-fuel ratio excursions.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting a fuel injection timing based on the indicated degradation, where said degradation includes asymmetric sensor responses to air-fuel ratio excursions.
 18. A system for a vehicle, comprising: an engine including a fuel injection system; an exhaust gas sensor coupled in an exhaust system of the engine; and a controller including instructions executable to: for each entry into and exit out of DFSO, if an air-fuel ratio disturbance is not present prior to the entry or exit, then add a collected change in lambda over time during the entry or exit to a set of exhaust gas sensor responses; indicate exhaust gas sensor degradation based on a time delay and line length of each sample of the set of exhaust gas sensor responses; and adjust a fuel injection amount and/or timing based on the indicated degradation.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further executable to notify an operator of the vehicle if the indicated sensor degradation exceeds a threshold.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions are further executable, for each exit and entry, to determine a time constant from the collected change in lambda and determine predicted threshold response time based on the time constant.
 21. A method of monitoring an oxygen sensor coupled in an engine exhaust, comprising: collecting a set of exhaust gas sensor responses during entry into and exit out of DFSO; based on the set of exhaust gas sensor responses, indicating an asymmetric delay sensor degradation if one of an average entry or exit time delay exceeds a respective expected entry or exit delay; indicating an asymmetric filter sensor degradation if one of an average entry or exit line length exceeds a respective expected entry or exit line length; and adjusting a fuel injection amount based on an indicated sensor degradation, wherein the indicating includes generating an indication light. 